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The following article which I wrote appeared in Highlights Magazine in March of 2005. The magazine is devoted to the Manchester Terrier and is published in England. Copies are sold at Crufts Dog Show in England.
"The Rat Terrier is an American breed with a history that dates back to England during the 1820's. His development resulted by crossing the Black and Tan Manchester tot he Smooth Fox Terrier. The crossing of the two breeds produced offspring superior in tenacity and hunting ability to either of their parents. The English referred to the small hybrid as a Feist, since he was well suited to hint rats and other vermin that threatened the environment.
As word traveled throughout Great Britain of the exceptional ratting abilities of the Feist demand and purpose increased. The English started using the Feist in the sport of pit baiting. It was a popular betting sport, bringing together the various social classes for an evening of entertainment and socialization. Pit baiting consisted of having several hundred rats placed in a pit with the ratting Fiests. Betting took place on which Fiest would kill the most amounts of rats in the shortest amount of time.
For the next 60 years the Feist remained in England and was relatively unchanged. it was not until the 1890's when Americans exported the Feist to the New World that changes took place within the strain. The first major change took place when Theodore Roosevelt the 26th. President of the United States changed the name of the Feist to Rat Terrier. Roosevelt was in need of a dog that could rid the White House of unwanted varmints. He acquired several of the terriers and let them run loose in his Mansion. Within a short time the Feists rid the White House of the unwanted rodents. Roosevelt loved the dogs, owning many of them. It was not unusual for him to give one of the small Rat Terrier to a visiting dignitary.
Other important changes that followed were infusions of various strains and breeds. By selective breeding additional Smooth Fox Terrier was added with the expectation of lessening the dominant hunting characteristics and producing a more master oriented dog. The additional Smooth Fox Terrier did in fact produce a more master oriented terrier without interfering with his excellent hunting ability. Another interesting change in the Rat Terrier was that of coat color and pattern. He went from having the coat color and pattern of the Manchester to that of a predominately white dog with black spots.
In geographically different locations of the US other breeds were being infused into the Rat Terrier, primarily the Whippet, Beagle and the Greyhound. As a result of such diversity the Rat Terrier's coat pattern and color were undergoing change. Rat Terriers were taking on the color and pattern of the beagle and Greyhound.
Change was also reflected in physical characteristics such as ear set and lkength of body and legs. With all the diversity in the strain one thing remained constant, that was his ability to hunt the game and also make a fine companion. Many of the Rat Terriers were used as working terriers in the Southern Region of the States. They made excellent varmint dogs and provided hours of entertainment for Southern hunters that enjoyed squirrel treeing and trailing.
With the growth of cities that favored the ownership of smaller dogs over the larger breeds, the Rat Terrier gained a considerable amount of popularity during the 1980's. The American Rat Terrier Association wrote a standard for the breed dividing them into large and miniature sizes. Physical standardization of the breed took place. Various coat and color patters were standardized. Additionally, articles and books were being written about the most marvelous and diversified Rat Terrier. His popularity grew from being classified as a rare breed to being accepted by the United Kennel Club."
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